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The Washington has levied restrictions on a operation of several persons and entities alleged of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to fight for and train a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the restrictions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the network was mostly comprised of Colombian citizens and firms.

Hundreds of retired Colombian troops have been recruited to go to the conflict in Sudan to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force implicated in terrible atrocities such as targeted ethnic killings and widespread kidnappings.

Revelation of Role

The role of these mercenaries initially emerged the previous year, prompted by an report which revealed that hundreds of former soldiers had been contracted to fight – an event that prompted an unprecedented apology from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have widely regarded as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience gleaned from years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and high-level combat training.

Reported Actions

In the Sudanese theater, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed underage fighters, taught fighters to pilot drones, and participated in direct battles. One source remarked that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those targeted was a dual national, a individual with dual citizenship and retired Colombian military officer operating from the United Arab Emirates. The government alleged he played a central role in recruiting and deploying former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who officials alleged managed a business linked to handling funds and payroll for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, American entities linked to Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, worth millions," the Treasury statement noted.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be targeted, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted financial transactions associated with Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges foreign parties to stop giving funding and arms to the warring parties," the department stated.

Expert Analysis

An expert, from a conflict think tank, labeled the measures as a "very significant" step, saying that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government ratified a law ratifying the global treaty against mercenarism, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in foreign conflicts and transform its security approach.

A mercenary specialist, an expert on mercenaries, called for greater wariness, noting that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and centered in Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been widely accused of providing arms to the militia, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," the expert cautioned.